Cup for sponge moisteners



Nov. 25, 1930. c. c. HARRIS CUP FOR SPONGE MOI-STENERS Filed Oct l 192621-6 6%;rgr

Patented Nov. 25, 1930 CARL o. HARRIS, or ORANGE, MASSACHUSETTS l ourFORSPQNGE ivIO E EBSf i i Application filed October 1, i923. SeriaLNo;semi)?- i This invention relates to a cup or receptacle for receiving asponge for use in moistening the fingersfor applying moisture to stamps,gummed strips and the like and for other uses.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a cup or holderforthis purpose 1 having means whereby the surplus moisture can be removedfrom the fingers by drawing the fingers over the sponge and over theedgeof the cup, which is so located that it can be done ina single motion ina substantially straight line; to provide means whereby the surplusmoisture is drained back into the cup; to provide the cup with simplemeans serving as a hand grip so that the whole device can be moved aboutconveniently and to provide 1 the base with means for preventing orretarding the sliding of the article on the surface on which it islocated and of such a nature as not to mar such a surface. Some featuresof this invention are adapted to be used in a stamp pad holder in asimilar way. I Other objects and advantages of the inven-, tion willappear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to theaccompany ing drawings in which Fig. 1 is aside view of a sponge cup with a sponge therein showing a preferredembodiment of this invention; i

Fig. 2 is a sectional view diametrically across the center of the same,and

Fig, 3 is a bottom plan view. Gups forholding sponges or pads for thepurpose of moistening the fingers ordinarily are made in a very simplemanner and they are apt to slide around the desk inconveniently and arehard to keep clean. When the j 40 fingers are moistened on the sponge,they are apt to receive surplus moisture which will drip on the desk.Furthermore these moisteners are not conveniently portable.

I provide a cup of semi-softrubber, somewhat flexible, but not verysoft, which has a recess 11 in thetopfor receiving the sponge 12 whichmay be of sponge rubber. It is shown as circular'in form and convex ontop. At the bottom of this recess there are two A diametrioal ribs 13 atright angles whichv hold the sponge rubber above the 3 the recess, r

1 "At thetop of therecess thereis aslanting or curved surface 14 endingin a lip 15 sur-' rounding the cup and having a comparatively sharpcircular edge projecting outwardly.

Belowthis is an annular groove18 surroundmg the cup and serving as ahandle, the lip projecting above it for this purpose. At the bottom, thebase flares out to provide a wide bottom surface for resting on the deskand the bottom of this surface is-provided with a 561168 of projections19 integral with the base for preventing or retarding any sliding of thearticle around the desk.

The lip, which has been described, serves to 1 wipe the surplus moisturefrom the bottom surfaces of the fingers of the userif she draws herfingers over the sponge in the natural way and across this lip in asingle motion substantially in a straight line. Onaccount of theslanting top surface of the lip, it will cause. the surplus water to.drain back into the cup. It also serves as the top of the annulargroove, enabling theuser tograsp the whole device conveniently andtransport it from one place a to another.

Integral rubber spurs 20 project into the sponge to prevent itsaccidental displacement. This constitutes a. simple, attractive andconvenient article for the purpose described andeflicientlyserves allthe above mentioned purposes. Theprojections on the bottom and theannular groove can be used in acup for an ink pad also. j i

Although I have illustrated anddescribed one formand two applications ofthe inven- 7 tion I am aware of the fact that other modifirecess havingaconvex upper surface, the base being provided with an outwardly and upwardly projecting ledge aroundthe top for receiving the fingers of theoperator when brushed along the surface of the sponge and removingexcess moisture therefrom, said lip having on the inside a gentle curveso that the water will drain back into the cup and the base having agroove entirely around it underneath and extending to the edge of saidlip whereby it can be lifted and moved around. I

2. As an article of manufacture, a holder for the purpose describedcomprising an integral body of semi-soft rubber having a cavity thereinfor a moistening element or pad and provided with a circumferentialgroove concave in cross section around the surface just under the topfor use in manipulating the holder and terminating at the top in asurrounding edge projecting outwardly at the top of said groove andinclined inwardly and downwardly from its extreme outer edge.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

CARL C. HARRIS.

